All right, readers! This is the 34th chapter of this story!
Now, we're close to starting Chapter 4. We just need to get through this chapter and then we can start Chapter 4.
For the time being, in this chapter, Andrew and his four partners go to Frankly's place where they explain their experience in Glitzville, Frankly is introduced to Yoshiam, and Andrew and his partners tell Professor Frankly about the e-mail Andrew got from Princess Peach.
In addition to that, the professor reveals that they have to go to Twilight Town, Andrew stops at the Inn first to drop off his old bat and get some stuff, and they find the pipe in the Rogueport Sewers that rejects them. Yoshiam also gets powered up with three Shine Sprites, someone named Darkly resolves their problem with getting through that pipe, and some other stuff will occur.
How will this go for the five travelers? Read and find out now!
BACK AT PROFESSOR FRANKLY'S HOUSE - ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROGUEPORT:
Meanwhile, Professor Frankly himself was at his house, skimming through a couple of books on the legendary treasure underneath Rogueport, and the Thousand-Year Door.
He had been doing some further research on the cataclysm, and what it was in particular. Some of the books he read still weren't precise as to what it was. But several of them mentioned that it was terrible enough that it destroyed the town in one night, and almost destroyed the world too.
He was unsure if he should tell Andrew and his team exactly what he had unraveled from his books so far. He'd have to wait for Andrew, Goombella, Koops, and Flurrie to return to his house before debating on it further.
He spent the next few minutes reading his book when he heard a knock at the door, which got him to respond properly. "It's unlocked! Come on in!"
The door opened up and it was revealed to be Andrew, who had poked his head through the opened door to get his attention.
"Professor Frankly?" Andrew said as Goombella, Koops, and Flurrie also poked their heads in through the opened door. "We've returned once again."
"Oh! Andrew!" Professor Frankly greeted. "Goombella! Koops! Flurrie! You folks got back safe and sound."
"I know," Andrew then entered the house, with Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, and Yoshiam following right behind him. "And man, did we have quite the adventure in Glitzville with obtaining the Gold Star."
"I can see that," Professor Frankly then decided to ask them. "Now tell me. How were things in Glitzville? You said you managed to obtain the Gold Star, correct?"
"Yes, we did. But 'actually' finding it there wasn't easy," Andrew started to explain it to him. "You see, we had to register as fighters in the Glitz Pit to become the champs there since the Gold Star was supposedly on the Champ Belt."
"Only for us to find out that the Crystal Star on the belt was a fake," Goombella revealed. "So we had to do a double take in that situation, y'know what I mean?"
"Hrmmm, you said the Crystal Star on the belt was a fake," Professor Frankly then asked them. "Well, how did you manage to get the real one?"
"Well, here's the thing. We had to unveil the mysteries in the Glitz Pit to locate it," Andrew added.
"Yeah. Turns out that the promoter, Grubba, had the real one in his possession," Koops exclaimed. "And ummm...he used it to drain the energy out of fighters. That's how fighters had gone missing there until we solved everything."
"Whoa, my. That's rather disturbing," Professor Frankly cleared his throat. "Though, now that I think of it, I've heard numerous tales about the Glitz Pit, and the disturbing things that go on underneath the surface."
"Well, fret no longer, Frankly," Flurrie told him. "As it turns out, Jolene who was the manager of the Glitz Pit sent us several e-mails under the name 'X'. I daresay, she was very much aiding us in finding the real Crystal Star."
"And we managed to claim it from Glitzville once we defeated Grubba and brought back the missing fighters," Andrew told him.
"I see. That is quite a journey," it was then that Professor Frankly took notice of Yoshiam. "Hrmmmm, I have to ask. Who's the Yoshi?"
"Oh, him?" Andrew decided to tell him. "This little Yoshi was from an egg that we liberated from Mr. Hoggle's Hot Dog Stand before he became a topping for a Hot Dog Special. We were surprised to see that he hatched."
"'In fact', Professor," Goombella jumped in. "This little Yoshi was the reason we got into the Major Leagues, and how we became champs in the first place."
"He didn't have a name when he hatched," Andrew introduced Yoshiam to Professor Frankly. "So we settled on giving him the name Yoshiam."
"I see. Very interesting," Frankly had to look at Yoshiam. "It's great to know that Yoshiam helped get the Gold Star from Glitzville."
"Yeah," Andrew nodded. "And we're happy to have him along to get the rest of the Crystal Stars."
"Very well put, Andrew," Frankly nodded. "The more people that join you to get the Crystal Stars, the better."
"Don't I know it," Andrew said as Yoshiam decided to approach Frankly and greet him.
"Sup, Prof?" Yoshiam said in such a casual cool manner.
"Uh, good to see you too, Yoshiam?" Professor Frankly greeted awkwardly in reaction to his casual tone.
"Yeah, Professor Frankly," Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. "He is quite casual, and he does have an attitude when dealing with people who are messing with us. But it's all a front, and Yoshiam is a 'really' good person underneath."
"Ah. I see. That's nice to know," Professor Frankly decided to get them back on topic. "Anyhow, I take it that you folks already went to the Thousand-Year Door to drop off the Gold Star, right?"
"We sure did," Andrew took out the map. "And the fourth location of the fourth Crystal Star; the Ruby Star, has appeared on the map."
"Good. Very good," Professor Frankly encouraged him. "Please let me see it so I can figure out where you folks need to go next."
"OK," Andrew gave Professor Frankly the map, as he took it back to his desk and started to look at it.
Andrew and his four partners exchanged looks, knowing that they had to tell him about the e-mail Peach sent to him. Clearing his throat, Andrew got his attention again.
"Uh, Professor Frankly?" Andrew started.
"Yes?" Frankly queried while still looking at the map.
"Before you tell us the next location, there's something that we need to tell you," Andrew told him.
"Oh? What is it?" Frankly glanced over to the five travelers.
"It's about Princess Peach," Andrew shared. "She just sent me an important e-mail about something that you need to know about."
"Well OK. I'd like to know what she said," Frankly stopped looking at the map and gave him his full undivided attention. "What did she send to you?"
"Well, this is what she wrote to us," Andrew began.
And so, Andrew spent the next few minutes telling Professor Frankly about the fact that Peach told him that the X-Nauts are after world conquest, and they are collecting the Crystal Stars to get the legendary treasure, so it could supposedly help them with conquering the world. It didn't take long for him to explain it as he was finished a couple of minutes later.
Needless to say, Frankly had a horrified expression on his face, as he reacted to this news accordingly after he was done.
"WHAAAT?" Professor Frankly bellowed frightfully before asking them. "The group that kidnapped Princess Peach is bent on total world conquest?"
"It sure sounds like it!" Goombella had to declare. "That must be why they needed the legendary treasure, huh?"
"And it's also why they tried to steal the Emerald Star that was located in the Great Tree in the Boggly Woods earlier when they raided it," Andrew had to add. "They're 'clearly' desperate and a bigger problem than we thought."
"Hrmm... This doesn't bode well," Professor Frankly shook his head, as he needed to tell them about what else he found out about the cataclysm. "The situation has gotten far more serious than I thought!"
"What do you mean?" Andrew had to give him a curious look.
"Let me bring you up to speed," Frankly had to inform them. "I've been researching just what this treasure could be... One book I came across held to what I thought was a preposterous theory... This book claimed that the 'treasure' was, in actuality, the great cataclysm."
Professor Frankly had to clear his throat before he lost his voice as he continued. "...The very cataclysm that, a thousand years ago, sank that town underground!"
"S-So those guys want to use the power of that...ulp... cataclysm to rule the world?" Koops had to ask while gulping in fear, paling in the face from hearing that.
"You sure about this," Andrew needed to ask. "You think the X-Nauts want possession of the cataclysm to help them rule the world?"
"I can't say for sure what they will do or why, but we must consider the possibility," Professor Frankly answered him. "Now that things have come to this, we mustn't let them near the legendary treasure. That's all that matters. Because if they do get it, then once again, this town... No...the ENTIRE WORLD could be destroyed!"
"Yikes!" Andrew flinched along with his four partners. "We cannot have that!"
"In that case, Frankly... We must proclaim that next Crystal Star, quickly!" Flurrie proclaimed worriedly.
"Yeah. Where's the fourth Crystal Star located?" Andrew asked. "From the looks of it, it seems to be located in a spooky forest of some kind."
"Hrmm..." Professor Frankly looked at the map again and was able to pinpoint its exact location. "According to the map, it appears the next Crystal Star is in Twilight Town."
"Twilight Town?" All five of them queried simultaneously while tilting their heads.
"So you have heard of the place, right?" Andrew had to ask him. "And do you have any idea how we can get there?"
"To tell you the truth, I don't know much about the place, myself. Only rumors," Frankly explained. " I have heard that, as the name implies, it's perpetually dim and eerie there."
It was then Frankly remembered something, as he went over to his bookshelf. "...Wait just a moment..."
As soon as he grabbed the book, he went back to his desk, opened it up, and saw the crucial piece of information he was looking for, in regards to how they could get to Twilight Town.
"Ah-HA! There appears to be a pipe to Twilight Town somewhere here in Rogueport," Professor Frankly revealed to them. "I do believe it's somewhere underneath the west part of town. Yes, definitely."
The west part of town? I think slipping through that sewer grate through Paper Mode might help us find it... Andrew thought as he rubbed his chin before saying. "So we're taking a pipe to Twilight Town? That sounds nice."
"Yeah," Professor Frankly then decided to advise them. "Anyway, if you get stuck for any reason, just come back and see me again, OK?"
"Under the ground in the west part of town? Check! Gotcha, Prof!" Yoshiam gave him a thumbs up before turning to face Andrew. "C'mon, Presto! Let's go! Time to break out!"
"Right. We'll come back to you if we do experience any problems," Andrew declared. "But first, we have to stop off at the Inn."
"Wait, what do we need to stop at the Inn for?" Yoshiam was confused by this.
"To drop off my old bat. To get into some fresh new clothes. To get the innkeeper to take care of my gym clothes," Andrew pointed out with his fingers. "I'm telling you. All that fighting in the Glitz Pit certainly did a number on my clothes. What with all the sweat that had formed on them."
"OK, Presto. We can stop off at the Inn before we find that pipe," Yoshiam decided to oblige to this.
"Great," Andrew nodded with a smile. "Well guys, looks like we better get going."
"You betcha," Goombella beamed. "Let's head to the Inn for a bit so you can get yourself ready for our next trip to Twilight Town."
"Good call, Andrew," Koops agreed. "Never know when something'll get us unless we're prepared for it..."
"By the stars, I daresay that this is a fascinating idea," Flurrie declared proudly. "Andrew my darling, we shall stop at the Inn first so you can get yourself ready for our next adventure."
"Yeah dude," Yoshiam proclaimed. "We'd like to be prepared in case some monster ambushes us and we have to fight back!"
"Great to know," Andrew nodded. "Let's get going."
With that, the five of them left Professor Frankly's house as they headed straight for the Inn. Since Andrew only has 2 Shine Sprites instead of 3, he couldn't stop off at Merlon's place right now. That'll have to wait until he can find and claim one more Shine Sprite, wherever it may be...
AT THE ROGUEPORT INN:
"Hello there, Mr. Andrew. Very good to see you again," the innkeeper greeted him upon seeing him reach the Inn upstairs.
"Yeah. Nice to see you too," Andrew said as he dropped his old wooden bat into the pile next to his old black combat boots before he took out his gym clothes. "Uh, ma'am? I think these need to be washed off. After all the workouts I've done in the Glitz Pit, they need it."
"Don't you worry, hon. I'll get these clean for you," the innkeeper told him sweetly. "You just keep going on this adventure of yours with your little friends."
"Yeah. They are a nice bunch of people, aren't they?" Andrew said, tugging on his handkerchief while motioning to Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, and Yoshiam. "All of them are different species, which makes them unique."
And something tells me that any other person who wants to join me in getting the Crystal Stars will be a different species too. Andrew thought. He had to wonder what kind of person would decide to travel with him next once he got to Twilight Town.
He could only wait and see for himself. For now, he needed to get into some fresh clothes. After digging through his luggage, he found the clothes that he wanted to wear, grabbed them, and went to the bathroom to get changed. He'd just have to make sure to pin his badges on the next button-up t-shirt that he puts on.
With that, he closed the door behind him, took off the badges that were on his current button-up t-shirt, and put them in a pile on the sink so he could get on his fresh batch of clothes, which included fresh boxer shorts and socks. His four partners could only wonder what clothes he'll be wearing this time while they head to Twilight Town...
It didn't take long for Andrew to have finished getting dressed up in the bathroom in his fresh clean outfit. He exited the bathroom and walked over to where his Goomba, Koopa, Wind Spirit and Yoshi partners were standing currently.
Goombella was skimming through her Tattle Log to see if she could find something that would interest her, Koops was relaxing while helping himself to some Koopa Tea, Flurrie was powdering her face to make sure she was in beautiful condition before they headed to Twilight Town, and Yoshiam was drinking some of Andrew's Healthy Juice, which he somehow got himself hooked on. The muscular man only needed to clear his throat before he got their attention.
"Ahem! Hey guys!" Andrew spoke up. "What do you think?"
"Well Andrew, I don't think it matters what you're wearing, and ooooooomiiiiiiigoooooooooooooosh..." Goombella started speaking before trailing up and gazing at Andrew's 'bod' which got her to stare with her mouth wide open.
Andrew was shown to be wearing an undershirt underneath his blue colored button-up long-sleeved shirt. He was still wearing his blue ballcap and yellow-orange handkerchief, but the four of them could barely see parts of his pecs, not to mention his six-pack abs. He was also wearing worn-out blue jeans, which only added to his manly appearance.
"Well? What's wrong, Goombella? Your mouth unable to close?" Andrew had to ask her in a teasing manner. "Or have you never seen a man dress like this before?"
"Uh, wowsers, Andrew. I mean jeepers," Goombella had to admit. "I always thought you had good taste in clothing, but this is something else. You look 'totally' handsome and cool. I don't think I can ever doubt what clothes you wear."
"Glad that you approve," Andrew smirked before looking at his other three partners. "What do you guys think?"
"Wow, Andrew. You like nice," Koops said. "Gee whiz, I don't think I could ever dress up like that even if I wanted to. Golly Andrew, you're so lucky!"
"Oh! My, my, my! Mercy me!" Flurrie had to swoon before admitting. "Andrew, you gloriously handsome man, you! You look amazing! Why, I daresay you look like the most handsome and manliest of all men that I've ever associated with. You are quite the hot stuff, Mr. Hunky Muscles!"
"Whoa! Looking cool, dude," Yoshiam had to give him a thumbs up. "I'm 'really' digging the style. I think it looks good on you, Presto."
"Gee, thanks, guys. Really," Andrew said out of flattery while blushing at what Flurrie just said about him. "How's the Healthy Juice Yoshiam? Do you like it?"
"Don't I!? Presto, this stuff is so good!" Yoshiam had to admit in a beam of energy. "I have to wonder why this wasn't being sold in Glitzville?"
"They don't sell those in any of the areas in the Rogueport Region," Andrew had to inform him. "Those Healthy Juices came straight from the Toad Town Market."
"Awww, dang it!" Yoshiam had to express his disappointment. "I would've loved to have more of this stuff!"
"Well, I'll tell you what, Yoshiam?" Andrew decided to promise him. "When we get to the point where this quest is over, I'll see to it that I send some over in your direction."
"Cool. I'll be waiting till then," Yoshiam was finished drinking up his small glass of the Healthy Juice. "I gotta tell you Presto. This Healthy Juice feels like a pre-battle drink."
"Isn't it?" Andrew asked slyly before putting his backpack onto his back and asking them as a group."Now, is everyone ready to find that pipe that leads to Twilight Town?"
"Totally!" Goombella beamed as she put her Tattle Log away. "I'm so ready to find it, Andrew!"
"Sure. Ready now that you are," Koops told him shyly.
"Absolutely! I would be delighted to find this pipe to Twilight Town!" Flurrie yelled in joy.
"Right on!" Yoshiam gave him a thumbs-up before jumping up. "Let's go find that pipe!"
"OK. Now, I think I know where the pipe might be," Andrew then headed downstairs to the door leading him out of the building. "Just follow me."
Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, and Yoshiam all nodded as they went downstairs and left the building after Andrew did. It was then the five of them headed straight for the West Side of Rogueport where that sewer grate was located...
IN THE WEST SIDE OF ROGUEPORT:
"Andrew?" Goombella asked, raising an eyebrow as the five of them stood on that sewer grate. "Not that I don't trust your ideas and all. But why did you bring us to stand on this sewer grate that's under our feet?"
"Well Goombella, it just so happens that we can slide right through this grate," Andrew pointed out. "By going into Paper Mode, we'll be paper-thin and slip through the grate, and end up in Rogueport Sewers."
"Omigosh! That's a great idea, Andrew!" Goombella had to admit. "That might lead us to the pipe that heads to Twilight Town!"
"Yeah, Andrew..." Koops proclaimed. "Ummm...hope we can find the pipe to Twilight Town this way..."
"Oh, how marvelous! Simply marvelous!" Flurrie declared. "I couldn't have thought of anything better!"
"Yeah! Rock on, Presto!" Yoshiam was all for it. "That's why you're the man! You always come up with these ideas that get us by situations!"
"Well, thanks guys. I do my best," Andrew said sheepishly. "Anyway, ready to go into Paper Mode guys?"
All four of them nodded as the five of them became paper-thin seconds later. As a result, they managed to slip right through the sewer grate, which would take them straight for the Rogueport Sewers that were underneath them...
IN THE ROGUEPORT SEWERS:
As it turns out, the five of them landed on a high ledge, where they turned back to normal moments later. To the right of them were two floating platforms that worked just like scale lifts.
Andrew didn't need to take that route right now. His focus was to the left, which had a stone block blocking off a passageway, with a door that looked like it led to something important, and a pipe that led to the pipe that was in the background.
After staring off around them, Andrew had to make a comment on this area they were in.
"Wow guys," Andrew remarked. "I didn't know this part of the Rogueport Sewers existed."
"Neither did I," Goombella admitted. "You could spend a lifetime studying secrets down here."
"Hey ummm...Andrew?" Koops tugged on Andrew's shirt to get his attention. "Look at that..."
Andrew then looked in the same direction that Koops was pointing in, which is what he was focusing on moments ago. He then saw what he was referring to.
It was another Shine Sprite, in that same yellow box that they'd seen countless times.
"Why, I do believe that's another Shine Sprite!" Flurrie gasped in awe.
"And I think if we can make it over there, we can claim it," Andrew then turned to face Yoshiam. "Yoshiam, if you wouldn't mind doing the honor for us?"
"You got it, Presto," Yoshiam gave him a thumbs up before allowing Andrew to get on his back along with Goombella and Koops while Flurrie just floated over the gap.
In a matter of seconds, they made it there, as Andrew then jumped and punched the clear yellow block and claimed the Shine Sprite afterwards.
"All right," Andrew declared before putting that Shine Sprite with the other two that he had already. "That makes three Shine Sprites!"
"Awesome, man!" Yoshiam jumped up and down. "Why don't we go to that Merlon guy and get him to give me that power-up?"
"Just a moment, Yoshiam. What's in this room over here?" Andrew pointed towards the door that led into a small room.
"Oooh, nice find there, Andrew," Goombella then encouraged. "Might as well check that room out, don'tcha think?"
"Exactly what I was thinking Goombella," Andrew walked to the door and opened it up. "Let's check it out."
Goombella, Koops, and Flurrie followed after him, as did Yoshiam, who was a little upset that he wasn't getting that power-up now, but he brushed it off to see what was in that room. The five of them were gonna find out what was in there.
As soon as they got there, the only thing they saw was a unique orange cracked pipe and a sign that labeled exactly where it goes. This got Andrew's attention as he looked at the pipe.
"Hey! Check out that pipe!" Andrew pointed. "It's got a unique pattern, being orange cracked."
"That's right. And you know what, Andrew?" Goombella then shared with him. "That pipe here connects to Twilight Town!"
"You're kidding," Andrew remarked.
"No, seriously," Goombella pointed to the sign. "Just look at this sign."
Andrew looked at it and saw that it said 'To Twilight Town' with a down arrow showing the direction.
"Well, that helps us with finding the pipe," Andrew jumped up onto the pipe. "OK, I guess we're going to Twilight Town, guys."
Andrew went down the pipe before the others could join him on top of the pipe. Before the others could jump up too, the strangest thing happened. Andrew found himself being shot back out of the pipe, as he was unable to make it to Twilight Town. This was something that baffled Andrew to the point of confusion.
"Hey, what the...?" Andrew shook his head. "What happened? I'm still in the Rogueport Sewers!"
"Omigosh Andrew!" Goombella gasped. "The pipe rejected you!"
"I think I noticed that," Andrew groaned. "Wonder what went wrong. I was certain that this pipe would get me to Twilight Town."
"Lemme try it out Andrew," Goombella jumped on top. "I'll see if I can make it to Twilight Town."
"OK," Andrew said softly as Goombella went down the pipe.
But just like Andrew, Goombella was shot out of the pipe as she spun around in the air with her head facing Andrew, and she landed right on top of him.
"Ouch!" Andrew winced in pain as he rubbed his head.
"OMIGOSH! I'm so sorry Andrew!" Goombella yelped. "I didn't mean to hurt you!"
"It's fine, Goombella," Andrew massaged his temple. "No harm done, thankfully."
"Well, that's good to know," Goombella then doubtfully looked at the pipe. "But...I guess this pipe isn't working for some odd reason."
"Gee whiz," Koops crossed his arms. "How will we ever get to Twilight Town now? Maybe I should give it a try. Ummm...if that's all right with you, Andrew..."
"Oh, go ahead. Give it a shot," Andrew encouraged as he watched Koops jump onto the pipe. "I don't think you'll have better luck than Goombella and I had."
"Right..." Koops uttered as he went down the pipe, hoping that he'd make it work.
Unfortunately, just like Andrew and Goombella, Koops was also shot out of the pipe and was sent flying. Koops had enough time to prepare as he went into his shell and ricocheted off the walls until he was back onto the ground and slid slowly to a stop in front of Andrew and Goombella.
"Koops? You OK?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Koops said inside his shell before he popped back out of it and then he frowned. "Guess I'm not in Twilight Town, huh?"
"I'm afraid not, Koops," Andrew shook his head. "The pipe rejected you too."
"Oh my! I daresay that I never experienced such a drastic situation such as this," Flurrie then told them. "Fret not my dearies! For I, Madame Flurrie shall give it a shot to see if I can get through the pipe!"
"Go right ahead Flurrie," Andrew encouraged. "I doubt that you'll have any luck either. But it wouldn't hurt to try."
After giving Andrew a wink, Flurrie soared through the air and did a Body Slam onto the pipe as she forced herself to go down through it.
Sadly, just like the case with Andrew, Goombella, and Koops, Flurrie got shot out of the pipe where she found herself soaring for several feet before floating back down. She then huffed and panted as she shook her head at this.
"Sorry that it didn't work, Flurrie," Andrew apologized to her. "That was a great show you did for us though."
"Why, thank you kindly, dearie," Flurrie said before sighing. "Well, mercy me! I do believe this pipe might be broken!"
"I would think so," Andrew snapped his fingers. "Otherwise we would've made it to Twilight Town by now."
"Hang on a minute, Presto! Let me give it a crack!" Yoshiam cracked his knuckles as he stepped up. "I'll show this pipe a thing or two for rejecting us!"
"Knock yourself out, Yoshiam," Andrew allowed it as Yoshiam did a flutter-jump towards the pipe, about to do a Ground Pound attack on it.
He then spun around in the air before plowing himself into the pipe, forcefully shoving himself down the pipe with the hope that he'd make it to Twilight Town.
But alas, be it as it may, just like the others, Yoshiam was also rejected by the pipe. He got shot out of the pipe and then found himself bouncing off the wall multiple times before he landed in front of Andrew, right on his stomach.
"I didn't 'literally' mean to knock yourself out," Andrew said dryly before he asked him. "Seriously though, you aren't hurt, are you Yoshiam?"
"You kidding?! It'll take a lot more than a stupid pipe rejecting us from getting through to Twilight Town to hurt me!" Yoshiam proclaimed.
"That's what I figured," Andrew sighed and shook his head. "So I guess none of us can get to Twilight Town..."
"Hey Andrew," Goombella made the proper suggestion. "Think maybe we should tell Professor Frankly about this?"
"Good idea," Andrew nodded before telling his group. "Come on, guys! We better go see Professor Frankly."
His partners didn't object as the five of them left the room and headed back up to the East Side of Rogueport to inform Professor Frankly about the pipe that prevented them from making it to Twilight Town...
AT PROFESSOR FRANKLY'S HOUSE - IN THE EAST SIDE OF ROGUEPORT:
It was shown that Professor Frankly was looking through another book on the legendary treasure that was under Rogueport. He didn't look through much of it when he heard the door open.
He looked up to see that it was Andrew, Goombella, Koops, Flurrie, and Yoshiam as they walked into his house and approached him with an urgent look on their faces. Professor Frankly was confused as he put his book to the side for the moment.
"Oh? You guys back already?" Professor Frankly asked as if he was wondering why they came back so early.
"Professor Frankly," Andrew told him. "WE have a problem."
"Oh? What's wrong?" Frankly queried while raising an eyebrow.
"Well, Professor!" Goombella started. "We found the pipe that leads to Twilight Town..."
"But I don't think it works," Koops told him shyly.
"It just pushed us back out," Flurrie added dramatically.
"Got any drain cleaner?" Yoshiam asked wryly while also sounding annoyed that they couldn't get by it.
"What my partners are saying is that we found the pipe leading to Twilight Town," Andrew elaborated. "But it won't let us through. We can't get to Twilight Town with it."
"What? You can't get through the pipe, you say?" Professor Frankly had taken all of this in as he asked.
"That's right," Andrew shrugged. "I dunno how we can get to Twilight Town if it doesn't work for us."
"How odd... Hrmm..." Professor Frankly tried thinking of a solution, but he came out short. "I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest idea of what you should do."
"Well, that's certainly a BIG help," Andrew said sarcastically as he sighed and moaned. "Now HOW are we gonna get to Twilight Town? I guess we're back at square one, guys."
"Don'tcha think there's any other way to get there," Goombella wondered. "Isn't there anyone here who could help us to get there?"
Andrew had to pinch the bridge of his nose. 'Clearly', this was an obstacle that was in the way of getting the remaining Crystal Stars. If they can't get to Twilight Town, then they'll never be able to rescue Princess Peach.
Fortunately, the thoughts of failure were dashed out of his mind when Professor Frankly remembered something important.
"Oh! Of course!" Frankly then shared with him. "I've heard that a fellow from Twilight Town lives here in Rogueport."
"Someone from Twilight Town lives in Rogueport?" Andrew raised an eyebrow at this.
"Of course," Professor Frankly then continued. "If anybody knows how to get through the pipe, it'll be him. His name was, uh... Dang. What was it?"
"Please tell me that you can remember him, Professor," Goombella had hoped.
"Ah, yes! The lover of dark places!" Frankly revealed. "DARKLY!"
"Darkly?" All five of them questioned in unison.
"Yes. I've seen him loitering right here in this part of town in the past," Professor Frankly informed him. "Look for Darkly!"
"OK. We'll find Darkly. But first," Andrew took out the 3 Shine Sprites from his backpack. "Since I have three of these babes, and since Merlon is right next door, perhaps it is time that I give you that power up, Yoshiam."
"Aw yeah! Now we're talking!" Yoshiam jumped up and down as he threw the goat with both hands. "I'm ready for it!"
"OK. Let's go," Andrew opened the door as he walked out of Professor Frankly's house, with his Goomba, Koopa, Wind Spirit, and Yoshi partners following right behind him.
Once they left the house, they went straight into Merlon's house, where Andrew presented him with three Shine Sprites, and told him that he'd like Yoshiam to get the next power-up.
Merlon obliged while pocketing the three Shine Sprites as he got to work right away.
Just like with Andrew's first three partners, Yoshiam felt the room spinning in circles as that crystal ball floated in the air until Yoshiam felt that magic force enter his body. Moments later, he felt like a stronger warrior, ready to take on anything that dares to pick a fight with them.
"Whoa! That was wicked AWESOME! Seriously dude! That was so cool!" Yoshiam couldn't help but cheer at this. "I feel like a whole lot stronger thanks to Merlon's magic mumbo jumbo stuff that 'really' did the trick!"
"That's not all, Yoshiam," Andrew had to inform him. "You just learned a new move."
"Wow! That's cool!" Yoshiam gave him a thumbs up.
"I'm glad to see that you're happy, Yoshiam," Andrew decided to ask Merlon. "By the way, Merlon, what move did Yoshiam just learn?"
"Well Andrew, Yoshiam just learned a move called Mini-Egg," Merlon exclaimed. "With Mini-Egg, he can throw eggs that he lays at your enemies, and has a good chance of shrinking them."
"Wow! That move sounds rad! This is the coolest," Yoshiam had to thank Andrew for this. "Thanks for this, Presto! I promise you that the next fight we get into, I'll throw some Mini-Eggs at those punks who pick a fight with us, and we can mop the floor with 'em too."
"And I already look forward to that too, Yoshiam," Andrew couldn't help but smile at this.
"Ahem! Since you've used up all of your Shine Sprites," Merlon then directed their attention to the door. "Then you may go."
"Right," Andrew then told his four partners. "We better get going."
Shortly afterwards, the five of them left Merlon's house. Now that Yoshiam got that power up and learned a new move in Mini-Egg, the five of them now had the mission that they needed to do; find Darkly.
"OK, Andrew," Goombella got his attention. "Now how d'you suppose we'll find Darkly? I wonder where he could be..."
"Well, if I'm not mistaken, I'm certain that the dark alleys are the darkest places in Rogueport," Andrew pointed to the alley to the left side of Merlon's house. "And because Frankly saw him in this side of town in the past, he must be in this alley right here."
"Well, let's see if we can find him," Koops gulped as he wasn't looking forward to entering a dark alley where shady characters could 'possibly' be.
Nonetheless, he obliged as the five of them entered the dark alley where there was trash everywhere. Once they made it to the corner, they saw someone standing near a trash can.
It was a strange doll-like person of some kind with brown hair, green fingerless hands, and a head that was mostly covered in a shadow, had yellow eyes, and wore clothes that one would expect to find on a doll, down to the yellow button on the front.
"Dearie me, Andrew," Flurrie had to whisper to the muscular man in interest. "You don't suppose this fellow is Darkly, do you?"
"It's possible," Andrew shrugged. "Let's ask him."
It was then Andrew and his four partners approached this doll-like person as he got the guy's attention.
"Excuse me, sir," Andrew started to ask. "But would you happen to be someone known as Darkly?"
"Yes. The name's Darkly," the person who's confirmed to be Darkly nodded. "Do you guys need something?"
"Oh great! I'm gonna get to the point," Andrew got straight down to business. "We need to know how we can get through the pipe that leads to Twilight Town."
"Huh? You want to know how to do that?" Darkly blinked before looking at him.
"That's right," Andrew waited for an answer, which didn't take long for him to get one.
"Couldn't be easier!" Darkly told him. "You just need to have something that has your name written on it."
Oh. That explains it. Andrew thought with a sigh.
It wasn't common for people to have their names written on the inside tops of their underwear anymore. That was a cliche that has been long passed its time.
"Don't you have anything that has your name written on it?" Darkly had to ask. "C'mon, everyone does!"
"I'm afraid I don't have anything with my name written on it. Not even on my boxer shorts," Andrew admitted shamefully before looking at his partners. "What about you guys?"
"Jeepers, I don't have anything with my name on it," Goombella told him. "All of my stuff that has my name on it is back at the University of Goom. Not even my Tattle Log has my name written on the front cover of it!"
"Gee whiz, can't say I do," Koops shrugged. "I don't have anything with my name written on it. Not even an I.D. card. Sorry. That's a bad thing, isn't it? Isn't it?"
"I'm saddened to say that I got nothing with my name written on it either, hon," Flurrie huffed sadly. "And I was a famous actress..."
"I was just given my name not too long ago," Yoshiam admitted before shaking his head. "So I don't have anything with my name written on it either."
"OK. Hang on," Darkly sighed as he got out a black marker. "I'll write it for you."
"Oh, that'll be good for us," Andrew was willing to have it, as his four partners nodded at this.
"Good," Darkly looked at Andrew. "Now, what's your name?"
"The name's Andrew," Andrew introduced himself to him.
"OK..." Darkly proclaimed. "I'll write it here on the back upper center of your jeans. A-N-D-R-E-W, right?"
"That's right," Andrew confirmed as Darkly walked over and wrote Andrew's name on the back upper center of his jeans.
Andrew couldn't help but feel a squirmish tickle spot from the sensation he was feeling. But he kept a strong firm look on his face as he allowed Darkly to write his name on the seat of his jeans.
It didn't take long at all for Darkly to write his name out as Andrew sighed in relief.
"There! Perfect-a-mundo!" Darkly exclaimed. "While I'm at it, I'll write the names of your partners too."
Darkly then turned around to face the four of them before he asked them. "What are your names?"
"Goombella!" Goombella beamed.
"Um... K-Koops," Koops stuttered nervously.
"Depends on who's asking!" Flurrie declared as if she was back on the stage. "For you, I am Flurrie."
"And I'm Yoshiam, baby!" Yoshiam jumped up, as he threw a fist pump into the air, right over his head.
Then just like he did with Andrew, Darkly went over and wrote the name of each of them on their backsides in the order that they joined Andrew in. Unlike Andrew, who stayed quiet, all four of them gave their reaction towards how Darkly was writing on their bottoms.
"Tee hee!" Goombella giggled. "That TICKLES!"
"H-Hey!" Koops stuttered at this sensation. "Think you could ease up on jabbing me, Pokey?"
"Mmmm... A bit to the left..." Flurrie swooned in a rather seductive manner.
"Hey!" Yoshiam yelped. "Watch where you're drawing, buddy!"
"OK, and there we go," Darkly had just finished doing what he needed to. "All five of you have your names written on your backsides."
"All right. Now this'll get us to Twilight Town, right?" Andrew had to ask.
"You should be able to this time," Darkly decided to share with them. "Now, I don't know what errand is taking you to Twilight Town, but I hope it goes well. I'll be rooting for you!"
"Well thanks a bunch, Darkly," Andrew thanked him before he turned to his four partners. "Shall we get going, guys?"
All four of them nodded as they were still taking in the sensation that they got from that experience.
With that, the five of them left the dark alley after Andrew found and pocketed another Star Piece, as they headed back to the West Side of Rogueport. From there, they approached the sewer grate and entered Paper Mode to slip through the grate so they could be back in the Rogueport Sewers...
ROGUEPORT SEWERS - THE ROOM WITH THE PIPE LEADING TO TWILIGHT TOWN:
Needless to say, it took no time at all for the five of them to make it back to the room where the orange cracked pipe was located. As soon as they were in the room, they stood in front of the pipe. Now that their names were written on their backsides, they should be able to get through it, right?
"OK, guys," Andrew said. "I think we should be able to get through the pipe this time. You all ready?"
"Totally!" Goombella yelled in a preppy manner. "Let's do this!"
"Sure thing," Koops nodded. "We can do this..."
"Why yes! It would be a splendid idea for us to get to Twilight Town!" Flurrie proclaimed.
"I'm ready as I'll ever be!" Yoshiam cheered.
"Great," Andrew walked up and jumped onto the pipe. "Now, I guess I should go first. Well, here I go."
With that, Andrew sank through the pipe, as his four partners were wondering if he'd pop back out. That didn't happen this time as Andrew was heading for Twilight Town. Looks like Darkly was telling the truth after all.
"All right! Looks like the name trick worked after all!" Goombella beamed again as she jumped up on top of the pipe. "Now it's my turn. I'm 'totally' ready to check out Twilight Town for myself!"
It was then that Goombella went down the pipe, successfully making it through the pipe to Twilight Town. Upon seeing that she got through the pipe, Koops stepped up and approached the pipe.
"Ummm...OK. Guess it's my turn," Koops gulped before jumping on top of the pipe. "Sure hope this works..."
After he said that, he sank into the pipe, successfully getting through it as he was also heading straight for Twilight Town. Flurrie was delighted by this as she floated over to the pipe and had to declare.
"By the stars, I do believe that the trick that this Darkly fellow talked about was a rousing success," Flurrie remarked. "Therefore, it is my turn to get through this pipe and I shall make my grand entrance into Twilight Town!"
She then floated onto the pipe and sank into it, also successfully getting through the pipe as she was heading to Twilight Town to join the others who had gone through so far.
Seeing that he was the only one left, Yoshiam shrugged and smirked, clearly looking forward to seeing what Twilight Town might have to offer to them.
"Ah, what the heck! If Presto can do it, so can I," Yoshiam shrugged as he scurried over and jumped on top of the pipe. "Let's rock! I can't wait to see what kind of creep we'll be fighting this time. Here I gooooooooooooooooooooo!"
As he said that, he sank into the pipe, also successfully getting through it as he headed to Twilight Town to join the others.
All five of them were wondering how things would turn out in Twilight Town. But what they didn't know was that the five travelers had no idea what they'd be dealing with. And Andrew especially had no idea of the scenario that'll be in store for him in Twilight Town.
Regardless, they were determined to get to Twilight Town and obtain the fourth Crystal Star; the Ruby Star.
And there was no doubt that the five travelers were just about to start the fourth part of their adventure...
END OF CHAPTER 34...
Well, that's it for this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and you all look forward to Chapter 4 starting.
Now, let me just say that I have been looking forward to doing Chapter 4 since I started this story! I have to be honest, Chapter 4 is my 'personal' favorite chapter in the game, story-wise at least.
Gameplay-wise, I can understand the ire that players feel from all the stupid backtracking that has to be done. Which reminds me, I'll be making several jabs at the backtracking that happens in Chapter 4. So be sure to look forward to that.
One other thing I should make note of, you noticed that Andrew has started becoming less cynical by the end of Chapter 2, thanks to Flurrie. He started going through his character development near the end of Chapter 3.
He 'really' starts going through his character development throughout Chapter 4; particularly in the second half. I look forward to writing that.
Anyway, with my rambling out of the way, the next chapter will involve the five travelers arriving at Twilight Town.
In that chapter, the five of them learn from the mayor that the town is under a pig curse where whenever the steeple bell rings, one of the residents turns into a pig.
Additionally, Andrew and his four partners agree to help the store owner's wife find a storage key, two important villagers turn into pigs, Andrew encounters his third black chest which helps him become a tube to slip through narrow spots, and some other stuff will occur. How will this go? Find out next time, readers!
For now, only if you like, you can leave a review for this chapter. I have nothing more to say about it.
Otherwise, that's all I have to say for now. So until next time, I hope you all look forward to the start of Chapter 4. And on that note, thanks again for reading everyone!